Mike Evans
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The Buccaneers want to re-sign Mike Evans, but he has a specific set of criteria he's looking for from a team in free agency
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not have the 2025 campaign they were hoping for, and early on this offseason, it has resulted in some big changes being made. More could be coming, though, with veteran wide receiver Mike Evans‘ future with the team appearing to be very much up in the air as free agency looms.
After an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, the Bucs and Evans could be on track to part ways after he spent the first 12 years of his career with the team. While Tampa Bay wants to bring him back to town, it sounds like Evans has a very specific criterion he’s looking for in potential suitors that could leave his longtime team on the outside looking in when it comes to his free agency.
What is Mike Evans Looking for in Free Agency?
The Buccaneers selected Evans with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and ever since then, he’s been one of the most consistent wide receivers in the history of the league. Prior to the 2025 campaign, Evans had racked up at least 1,000 receiving yards in his first 11 seasons, which matched a mark set by the legendary Jerry Rice.
Evans only played in eight games last season, and even when he was on the field, his numbers were disappointing, as he caught 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. While the Bucs have already revamped their offensive coaching staff this offseason, Evans’ frustration with his role in the team’s offense when he was on the field was hard to ignore.
As a result, Evans has made it clear that once he hits free agency, he’s going to be picky when it comes to deciding where he signs. Evans has a list of things he’s looking for in the team he ends up signing with, and while Tampa Bay reportedly wants to re-sign its longtime playmaker, this specific list could result in Evans landing elsewhere.
“Mike Evans will limit his choices to a handful of teams in part because of his criteria,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported. “He wants a quarterback he believes in, a chance at a Super Bowl, a top-shelf offensive coordinator and the promise of high-volume touches. Only so many teams fit that mold. The Buccaneers will aggressively pursue re-signing Evans and met with his agent, Deryk Gilmore, on Thursday.”
Should the Buccaneers Re-Sign Mike Evans?
Mike Evans Tampa Bay Buccaneers
GettyMike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Whether or not the Bucs fit this list is unknown. Evans has a solid working relationship with quarterback Baker Mayfield, but the other three items on the list are all question marks. It remains to be seen if Evans thinks Tampa Bay can win a Super Bowl, if he believes in new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, or if he would receive the sort of target share he’s looking for in the team’s deep offense.
The one thing that is clear is that the Buccaneers don’t want to lose Evans, but it likely won’t be up to them to determine whether or not he returns to town. Evans’ free agency has quickly become one of the biggest storylines of the team’s offseason, and it appears there’s a real shot he leaves Tampa Bay over the next few weeks.